182Checking and refilling levels
● Water allowed to collect in the fuel filter can cause engine faults.
● Your vehicle is not prepared for use of biofuel (RME) and, therefore, this
fuel must not be used for refuelling or driving. The use of biofuel (RME)
could cause serious damage to the engine or the fuel system.
Engine compartment
Introduction
Always be aware of the danger of injury and scalding as well as the risk of
accident or fire when working in the engine compartment, e.g. when check-
ing and refilling fluids. Therefore, always observe the warnings and follow
all general safety precautions. The engine compartment of any motor vehi-
cle is a potentially hazardous area .
WARNING
● Never open the bonnet if you see steam, smoke or coolant escaping
from the engine compartment. Risk of scalding! Wait until no steam or
coolant can be seen before opening the bonnet.
● Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
● Engage neutral in vehicles with manual gearbox and move the selec-
tor lever to position P in vehicles with automatic gearbox.
● Apply the handbrake firmly.
● Wait for the engine to cool down.
● For safety reasons, the bonnet must always be closed when the vehi-
cle is moving. Therefore, after closing the bonnet always check that it is
properly secured.
WARNING (Continued)
● Should you notice that the bonnet is not safely secured when the ve-
hicle is moving, stop the vehicle immediately and close the bonnet prop-
erly. Risk of accident!
● Keep children away from the engine compartment.
● Do not touch hot engine parts. Risk of burns!
● Never spill fluids on hot engine compartments. These fluids can
cause a fire (e.g. antifreeze in coolant).
● Take care not to cause short circuits in the electrical system, especial-
ly when working on the battery.
● Never touch the radiator fan when the engine is hot. The fan may start
running suddenly!
● Do not unscrew the cap on the coolant expansion tank when the en-
gine is hot. The cooling system is under pressure!
● Protect face, hands and arms from any hot steam or hot coolant re-
leased by covering the cap with a large, thick rag when opening the ex-
pansion tank.
● Do not leave any objects, such as cloths and tools, in the engine com-
partment.
● When working underneath the vehicle, secure it so that it cannot roll
away and support it safely on suitable supports. The hydraulic jack is not
sufficient for this purpose. Risk of injuries!
● If any tests have to be performed with the engine running, there is an
extra safety risk from rotating parts, such as the drive belt, alternator
and radiator fan, etc., and from the high-voltage ignition system. You
should also note the following:
–Never touch the electrical wiring of the ignition system.
– Keep away from moving engine parts when wearing jewellery,
loose clothing or long hair. Risk of fatal injuries! All jewellery must be
removed, hair tied back and close-fitting clothing worn.
● Observe the following additional warnings if work on the fuel system
or the electrical system is necessary.
–Always disconnect the battery from the on-board network.
– Do not smoke.
193
Checking and refilling levels
– The positive terminal (+) of the battery is connected in reverse
order.
Checking battery acid level
Fig. 130 Battery: Acid
level indicator
We recommend you have the acid level regularly checked at an official tech-
nical service, particularly in the following cases.
● At high outside temperatures.
● On long daily trips.
● Whenever the vehicle is loaded ⇒ page 193, Charging the battery.
In vehicles equipped with a battery with colour indicator, the so-called mag-
ic eye ⇒ Fig. 130 changes colour to indicate the acid level.
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the indicator. Therefore, carefully
knock the indicator before checking the acid level.
● Black – the acid level is correct.
● Colourless or light yellow – acid level too low, battery must be changed.
Note
● The battery acid level is also regularly checked during servicing at au-
thorised SEAT dealers.
● The acid level on “AGM” vehicle batteries cannot be checked for techni-
cal reasons.
● Vehicles equipped with the “START-STOP” system include a battery con-
trol unit to control the battery level for repeat engine starting.
Winter service
At low temperatures the battery provides only a fraction of the starting pow-
er it has at normal temperatures.
A flat battery can also freeze at temperatures slightly below 0 °C (32 °F).
We therefore recommend you have the battery checked and, if necessary,
charged at an official SEAT technical service before the start of winter.
Charging the battery
A fully-charged battery is essential for reliable starting.
– Switch off the ignition and all electrical equipment.
– For “fast-charging” only: disconnect both battery connection ca-
bles (first the “negative” terminal and then the “positive”).
– Connect the charger cables to the battery terminals (red = “pos-
itive”, black = “negative”).
– Plug in the battery charger and switch on.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
194Checking and refilling levels
–After charging the battery: Switch off the battery charger and
disconnect the cable.
– Remove the charger cables.
– If necessary, reconnect both battery cables to the battery (first
the “positive” cable, then the “negative” cable).
When charging with a low current (e.g. with a small battery charger), the
battery does not have to be disconnected. The instructions of the battery
charger manufacturer must be followed.
Use a current equivalent to or lower than 10% of the battery capacity to fully
charge the battery.
Before “fast-charging” the battery however, both battery cables must be
disconnected.
“Fast-charging” a battery is dangerous and requires a battery charger and
special knowledge. Fast charges should be performed by an official techni-
cal service.
The battery caps should not be opened while the battery is being charged.
CAUTION
In vehicles fitted with the “START-STOP” system, the charger cable cannot
be directly connected to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery but
must be attached to the engine earthing point ⇒ page 216.
Disconnecting and connecting the battery
The following functions will either be inoperative or will not work properly
after disconnecting and reconnecting the battery:
effectInstallationSetting the clock⇒ page 60The multifunction display data is deleted⇒ page 61
Note
We recommend having the vehicle checked by an authorised SEAT dealer to
guarantee the correct working order of all electrical systems.
Changing the battery
A replacement battery must have the same capacity, voltage, current rating
and size as the original. The appropriate types of battery can be acquired
from authorised SEAT dealers.
We recommend having the battery changed by an authorised SEAT dealer,
where the new battery will be correctly installed and the original disposed
of in line with regulations.
Automatic disconnection of electrical equipment
When heavily-charging a battery, the programme selected by the electrical
system control unit prevents the battery from automatically discharging.
This may result in the following:
● Increase in idling speed so that the alternator can supply more current
to the electrical system.
● The performance of certain electrical components could be limited or
some may switch off temporarily, e.g. the heated seats, the heated rear win-
dow, the 12V power socket.
208Self-help
WARNING (Continued)
● Always raise the vehicle with the doors closed.
● Never place parts of your body, e.g. arms and legs, underneath the
vehicle when supported only by the jack.
● Secure the base of the jack with suitable supports so that it cannot
slip. The jack could slide if the ground below it is soft and slippery and
the vehicle could slip off it. Therefore, place the jack on a firm surface or
use a large, stable base. On a slippery surface, e.g. tiles, use a non-slip
base such as a rubber mat.
● Never start the engine when the vehicle is raised. Risk of injury.
● The jack should only be used in the correct jacking points.
CAUTION
● The prescribed tightening torque for wheel bolts on steel and alloy
wheels is 120 Nm.
● If the anti-theft wheel bolt is overly tightened, this could damage the
bolt and the adapter
Note
● The set of anti-theft wheel bolts or the adapter are available from au-
thorised SEAT dealers.
● Please observe the relevant local legal regulations when changing the
wheel.
Preparation work
Some preparation is required before changing a wheel:
– If you have a flat tyre, stop the vehicle as far away as possible
from moving traffic. The surface must be horizontal.–
All vehicle occupants should leave the vehicle . Vehicle occu-
pants should waiting in a safe place, e.g. behind the roadside
crash barrier) while the wheel is being changed.
– Switch off the ignition and engage neutral or move the selector
lever on the automatic gearbox to position P.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– If towing a trailer, unhitch it.
– Take the vehicle tool kit ⇒ page 207 and the spare wheel
⇒ page 207 out of the luggage compartment.
Changing a wheel
If possible, change the wheel on a level surface.
– Pull off the hub cap ⇒ page 200 or the wheel bolt covers
⇒ page 200.
– First loosen the anti-theft wheel bolts and then the other wheel
bolts ⇒ page 209.
– Raise the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is no longer
touching the ground ⇒ page 210.
– Remove the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface
(cloth, paper, etc.).
– Take off the wheel.
– Lift the spare wheel into position and tighten the wheel bolts
lightly.
213
Self-help
Before using the tyre repair kit
The following jobs must be performed before using the tyre repair
kit:
– If you have a flat tyre, stop the vehicle well away from moving
traffic. Stop on flat, solid ground.
– All vehicle occupants should leave the vehicle. Vehicle occu-
pants should waiting in a safe place, e.g. behind the roadside
crash barrier) while the wheel is being changed.
– Switch off the ignition and engage neutral or move the selector
lever on the automatic gearbox to position P.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Check whether the tyre can be repaired using the tyre repair kit
⇒ page 211.
– If towing a trailer, unhitch it.
– Take the tyre repair kit out of the luggage compartment.
– Fix the sticker 2
⇒ Fig. 142 ⇒
page 212 onto the dash panel
where the driver will see it.
– Do not remove the foreign body, e.g. bolts or nails, from the
tyre.
– Unscrew the tyre valve cap.
– Using the valve extractor 1
, unscrew the valve insert and place
it onto a clean surface (cloth, paper, etc.) Filling and inflating the tyre
Filling the tyre
–
Shake the tyre sealant can 10
⇒ Fig. 142 ⇒ page 212 thorough-
ly several times.
– Attach the flexible filling hose 3
onto the can 10. The foil seal-
ing the can will be automatically pierced.
– Remove the cap from the flexible filling hose 3
and insert the
open end as far as it will go into the tyre valve.
– Hold the can 10
upside down and fill the complete contents of
the can into the tyre.
– Remove the empty can from the tyre.
– Screw the valve insert back into the tyre valve using the valve
extractor 1
.
Inflating the tyre
– Screw the tyre filling hose 5
⇒ Fig. 142 ⇒ page 212 firmly onto
the tyre valve.
– Make sure that the bleed screw 7
is closed.
– Start the vehicle engine and leave it running.
– Plug the connector 9
into the 12-volt power socket.
– Turn the air compressor on with the switch 8
.
– Leave the air compressor running until the tyre pressure has
reached 2.0-2.5 bar (29-36 psi / 200-250 kPa). Max. operating
time for the compressor is 8 minutes ⇒
!
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
215
Self-help
Both batteries must be rated at 12 Volts. The capacity (Ah) of the booster
battery should not be significantly lower than that of the discharged battery.
Jump leads
The jump leads must be heavy enough to carry the starter current and must
be fitted with insulated battery clamps. Refer to the instructions given by
the manufacturer.
Positive cable – usually red
Negative cable – usually black
WARNING
● A flat battery can also freeze at temperatures slightly below 0 °C
(32 °F). Do not attempt a jump start with a frozen battery – Explosion
hazard!
● Please note the safety warnings referring to working in the engine
compartment ⇒ page 182.
● The non-insulated parts of the battery clamps must not be allowed to
touch. Additionally, the jump lead attached to the positive battery termi-
nal must not touch metal parts of the vehicle. Risk of short circuit!
● Do not connect the negative lead to the negative terminal of the dis-
charged battery. In the event of sparks when starting the engine, the ex-
plosive gas given off by the battery could catch fire.
● Position the jump leads in such a way that they cannot come into con-
tact with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
● Do not bend over the battery. Risk of acid burns!
● The screw plugs on the battery cells must be screwed in firmly.
● Keep sources of fire (flames, lit cigarettes, etc.) away from the bat-
tery. Risk of explosion!
● Never use the jump leads on batteries in which the electrolyte level is
too low. Risk of explosion and acid burns.
Note
● The vehicles must not touch each other, as electricity could flow as soon
as the positive terminals are connected.
● The discharged battery must be properly connected to the vehicle elec-
trical system.
● The jump leads should be checked in a specialist vehicle battery shop.
Starting the engine
Fig. 143 Jump-starting
with the battery of anoth-
er vehicle: A – Dis-
charged battery, B –
Boosting battery
The two jump leads must be connected in the correct sequence:
Connecting the positive terminals with the positive lead
– Connect one end 1
⇒ Fig. 143 to the positive terminal of the
flat battery A.
– Connect the other end 2
to the positive terminal of the boost-
ing battery B.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
216Self-help
Connecting negative terminals with the engine block
–Connect one end 3
⇒ Fig. 143 to the negative terminal of the
boosting battery B.
– Attach the other end 4
to a solid metal part firmly attached to
the engine block or to the engine block itself.
Starting the engine
– Start the engine of the vehicle and let it run at idling speed.
– Now start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
– If the engine fails to start, do not operate the start for longer
than 10 seconds. Wait for about 30 seconds and try again.
– Remove the jump leads from the engine in exactly the opposite
sequence to that described above. Jump-starting vehicles with the START-STOP system
Fig. 144 Jump-starting
vehicles with the START-
STOP system
In vehicles fitted with the START-STOP system, the booster cable cannot be
directly connected to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery but must
be attached to the engine earthing point.
Towing the vehicle
Introduction
Vehicles with manual gearbox can be towed using a towbar or tow-
rope. They can also be towed with either the front or rear wheels
lifted off the road.
Vehicles with automatic gearbox can be towed using a towbar or
towrope. They can also be towed with the front wheels lifted off the
217
Self-help
road. If the vehicle is towed with the rear wheels lifted off the road
the automatic gearbox will be damaged!
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a towbar. A towrope
should only be used if you do not have a towbar.
Follow the instructions below when towing a vehicle:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– Engage the clutch very gently when starting to move or on vehi-
cles with automatic gearbox press the accelerator carefully.
– On vehicles with manual gearbox, the towrope must be taut be-
fore driving off.
The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h (31 mph).
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– The ignition should be switched on so that the steering wheel
lock is not engaged and the turn signals, horn and windscreen
wipers and washers can be used.
– Put the gear lever in neutral or move the selector lever to posi-
tion N (automatic gearbox).
The brake servo and power steering only work when the engine is
running. Considerably more effort is required on the brake pedal
and steering wheel when the engine is switched off.
Ensure the towrope remains taut at all times when towing.
CAUTION
● Do not tow-start the engine. Risk of engine damage! In vehicles with a
catalytic converter, unburnt fuel could reach the catalytic converter and
catch fire in it. This could damage and destroy the catalytic converter. Use
the battery from another vehicle for help in starting the engine ⇒ page 215,
Starting the engine.
● If, due to a fault, there is no oil in the gearbox, the car may only be tow-
ed with the driven wheels lifted clear of the road and transported on a spe-
cial vehicle transporter or trailer.
● If normal towing is not possible or if the vehicle is to be towed for further
than 50 km (31 miles), the vehicle must be transported on a special vehicle
transporter or trailer.
● The towrope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both ve-
hicles during towing. It is advisable to use a towrope made of synthetic fibre
or similar material only.
● Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle and always take care to
avoid jerking the towrope. When towing on a loose surface there is always a
risk of overloading and damaging the anchorage points.
● Attach the towrope or towbar only to the towline anchorages or to the
removable towing bracket ⇒ page 164, or ⇒ page 218.
Note
● We recommend you use the towrope or towbar available in the SEAT
Original Accessories programme from authorised SEAT dealers.
● Towing a vehicle requires some experience. Both drivers should be fa-
miliar with the technique required for towing. Inexperienced drivers should
not attempt to tow away another vehicle or to have their vehicle towed.
● Note the legal regulations concerning towing, particularly those regard-
ing the signalling of the towed and towing vehicle.
● The towrope must not be twisted, as under certain circumstances this
could unscrew the front towline anchorage.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications